Patents by Inventor William R. Corbin

William R. Corbin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7237165
    Abstract: A system for testing a DRAM includes DRAM blocks, the system further includes a processor based built-in self test system for generating a test data pattern, for each DRAM block, performing a write of the test data pattern into the DRAM block, performing a pause for a predetermined period of time, and performing a read of a resulting data pattern from the DRAM block. For each DRAM block, the performing the write of the test pattern into the DRAM block is performed before the performing the pause for the predetermined period of time, and the performing the read of the resulting data pattern from the DRAM block is performed after the performing the pause for the predetermined period of time, and at least a portion of the pause for the predetermined period of time of two or more the DRAM blocks overlap in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Laura S. Chadwick, William R. Corbin, Jeffrey H. Dreibelbis, Erik A. Nelson, Thomas E. Obremski, Toshiharu Saitoh, Donald L. Wheater
  • Patent number: 7103814
    Abstract: Technique to perform logic and embedded memory tests using logic scan chain testing procedures in parallel with memory built in self test (BIST). This is accomplished with a combination of voltage isolation between memory and logic segments, and isolation between logic and memory test clocks. A test algorithm is introduced to enable and disable the scan chain operation during BIST operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Corbin, Brian R. Kessler, Erik A. Nelson, Thomas E. Obremski, Donald L. Wheater
  • Patent number: 7073100
    Abstract: A method and system for testing an embedded DRAM that includes DRAM blocks. The method including: generating a test data pattern in a processor based BIST system, for each DRAM block, performing a write of the test data pattern into the DRAM block, performing a pause for a predetermined period of time, and performing a read of a resulting data pattern from the DRAM block; where for each DRAM block, the write of the test data pattern into the DRAM block is performed before the pause, and the read of the resulting data pattern from each DRAM block is performed after the pause; where at least a portion of the pause of two or more of the DRAM blocks overlap in time; and for each DRAM block comparing the test data pattern to the resulting data pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Laura S. Chadwick, William R. Corbin, Jeffrey H. Dreibelbis, Erik A. Nelson, Thomas E. Obremski, Toshiharu Saitoh, Donald L. Wheater
  • Publication number: 20040093539
    Abstract: A method and system for testing a DRAM comprised of DRAM blocks. The method comprises: in a processor based built-in self test system, generating a test data pattern; for each DRAM block, performing a write of the test data pattern into the DRAM block, performing a pause for a predetermined period of time, and performing a read of a resulting data pattern from the DRAM block; wherein for each DRAM block, the performing the write of the test pattern into the DRAM block is performed before the performing the pause for the predetermined period of time, and the performing the read of the resulting data pattern from the DRAM block is performed after the performing the pause for the predetermined period of time; and wherein at least a portion of the pause for the predetermined period of time of two or more the DRAM blocks overlap in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Laura S. Chadwick, William R. Corbin, Jeffrey H. Dreibelbis, Erik A. Nelson, Thomas E. Obremski, Toshiharu Saitoh, Donald L. Wheater
  • Publication number: 20040083412
    Abstract: Technique to perform logic and embedded memory tests using logic scan chain testing procedures in parallel with memory built in self test (BIST). This is accomplished with a combination of voltage isolation between memory and logic segments, and isolation between logic and memory test clocks. A test algorithm is introduced to enable and disable the scan chain operation during BIST operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Corbin, Brian R. Kessler, Erik A. Nelson, Thomas E. Obremski, Donald L. Wheater
  • Patent number: 6658604
    Abstract: To overcome these problems, the present invention generates two window strobes and uses the two window strobes to determine if skew between two signals meets predetermined criteria. One of the window strobes is used to test one of the signals, and the other window strobe is generated relative to the first window strobe. The second window strobe tests the other signal (or signals, if they are data signals). From the tests of the two window strobes, it can be determined if the skew between the first and second signals meets predetermined criteria. In particular, the two window strobes are placed relative to each other and to the signals being tested in such a way that when both window strobes indicate passing conditions, skew between the two signals is guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Corbin, David P. Monty, Erik A. Nelson, Alan D. Norris, Steven W. Tomashot, David E. Chapman, Timothy E. Fiscus
  • Publication number: 20020099987
    Abstract: A method for testing the data strobe window (DQS) and data valid window (tDV) of a memory device (e.g., a DDR-type memory device) using the window strobe of a testing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines corporation
    Inventors: William R. Corbin, David P. Monty, Erik A. Nelson, Alan D. Norris, Steven w. Tomashot, David E. Chapman, Timothy E. Fiscus